Dispersal, Concentration and Defence

Abstract

Chapter 5 theorises the ubiquitous dispersing effects of spacepower upon Earth, which continues a longer-term trend in military capabilities. It is through exploiting and challenging the dispersing power from commanding this coastline of Earth orbit that we can integrate the real consequences of spacepower into thinking on grand strategy and international security on Earth itself. Satellite constellations are dispersed and enable the dispersion of networked terrestrial military units without losing cohesion or combat power when coupled with precision-strike weapons. This also imposes dispersion on enemy forces and changes the terms under which concentration can still be achieved in conventional warfare in the 21st century.